When Karsa Orlong attacked Silver Lake, a small fortified human settlement in northern Genabackis, he was severely wounded and captured by Damisk, one of Silgar's men.[4] The Teblor warrior soon escaped Silgar's slave trench only to be recaptured by Malazan soldiers of the Ashok Regiment. Silgar attempted to pay Sergeant Cord for Karsa's return and was himself promptly arrested for bribery along with Damisk, Borrug, and others of his men.[5]

Karsa, Silgar, Torvald Nom, and the others were sent by ship to work in the Malazan Otataral mines of Seven Cities.[6] But an unnatural storm instead sent them into the flooded Warren fragment known as the Nascent. Silgar, Damisk, and Borrug became trapped on an island of flotsam where they cannibalised one of the other survivors. When Karsa and Torvald discovered a small dory, Silgar promised to use his Warren to free them all if the two allowed them aboard their boat.[7]

Once Silgar delivered them back to the coast of Seven Cities, he and his men left Karsa and Torvald behind.[8] But Silgar was determined to recapture his hated slave and arranged for Karsa and Torvald to be captured by Arak tribesmen. Torvald revealed the location of the Arak camp to their enemies, the Gral, and Silgar escaped with Karsa and Damisk by Warren before they could be slaughtered.[9]

In Ehrlitan, Silgar was arrested by the Malazan garrison on suspicion of illegal slave trading as Karsa had never been branded as required by law.[10] Before the situation could be resolved, Karsa and his cellmate Leoman were rescued from the Malazan prison by Torvald. Karsa and Leoman fled into the desert with Silgar, Damisk, and fifteen Malazan horsemen at their heels. Karsa turned on his attackers, severing the hands and feet of Silgar in the process. Damisk fled with the survivors while Karsa carried off Silgar for a more fitting punishment.[11]